Female boxers AIBA requirement

Female boxers AIBA requirement NBF satisfied with 2016 achievements With countries now being required to have female boxers at different events, the national boxing federation is a step ahead as it is already developing our girls. The International Boxing Association (AIBA) has instructed member countries to have female boxers at amateur boxing events.

In a media statement by the Namibia Boxing Federation’s (NBF) PRO Robert Haihambo it stated that according to AIBA, the just-ended games in Luanda are the last at which no female boxer took part.

“It will be a requirement for all countries to have female boxers and the federation has thus stepped up efforts to develop women boxing from club to national level and re-emphasis the need for sponsorship in this area specifically,” said Haihambo.

The federation will not be starting from scratch with female boxers as it already has active ones. The numbers must be increased however.

Haihambo explained that after the federation’s coaching course earlier this year, emphasis was put on the female boxing.

“We asked those who attended the coaching course to really go out there in their areas and draw the talent of female boxers, and they have extensively done so. We now hoave more female boxers in the northern regions and the Oshikoto Region dominates,” he said.

He added that the country’s only female AIBA one-star qualified coach Maria Magano is spearheading the identification and development of female boxers in the regions.

He also mentioned that more awareness still has to be created to reach the correct numbers.

Meanwhile, the federation also ended its sport activities for the year yesterday and will restart on 16 January.

It closes off on a high note as it welcomed the national U-20 youth team that participated in the Zone five youth games in Angola.

The team of six boxers brought back one gold and two silver medals as well as a trophy for ending second out of the ten countries that participated.

KAINO NGHITONGO